South of France

Cycling holidays in Europe are more Lycra-clad than leisurely, but exertions are richly rewarded: hidden city byways are yours to explore, wine-tasting stops at passing vineyards are heartily encouraged, and it’s eco-friendly travel at its greenest.

Whether you're hoping to head to London to join a Jubilee street party, or making the most of your extra days off with a last-minute getaway, we've got some fantastic late availability at hotels and houses across Europe and the UK…

Last week, to much long-time-coming fanfare, the capital’s ultimate retail behemoth opened its doors and invited shopaholics to prise open their hearts (and wallets) for the all-singing (Leona Lewis) all-dancing (Sugababes) opening of Westfield. Europe’s largest shopping centre comprises a 43-acre patch of West London north of Shepherd’s Bush, in White City and has all the usual high street suspects as well as a few designer exclusives, but really what had our mouths watering was the menu awaiting us at Croque Gascon. It’s a great incentive for those who visit London to shop here, bringing the flavours and produce from South West France – cheeses, charcuterie and the best of the region’s wines – to W12.

A lovely chap called Peter Fritz from Bulgarian website Milliard City got in touch with me to do a Q&A session about luxury and hotels having watched our TV programme currently broadcasting in Eastern Europe. The intro (very roughly translated) says along the lines of ‘When you want to travel, and you want to get some information where do you go? The Discovery Channel, and particularly the The Smiths’ Hotels for 2… ‘

And here is the original interview in English:

Peter Juliet, it is a very tough to find right questions for you. Your activities are so ample and you must to have many amazing experiences that it is a very challenging thing to choose some element from your life. But, really I have found some interesting fact what I would like to ask you at first. I have read some info about you and your positive connection to bed. It can be great job to allow you to spend a lot of time in the bed. At other side, let me congratulate to so positive results of this activity as Mr & Mrs Smith TV and many great articles for major newpapers and magazines. Can you write me how is possible to do it?